AFL-CIO Readies New 'Super PAC'

Associated Press ^ | August 22, 2011 | unattributed

[Hunton Peck]

WASHINGTON -- The AFL-CIO hopes to boost its clout by launching a new political action committee that could raise unlimited amounts of money, part of the federation's goal of building a year-round political organizing structure.

Forming a so-called "super labor PAC" would allow the labor federation to raise money from sympathetic donors both inside and outside union membership and mobilize support beyond its traditional base, instead of ramping up political activities each election cycle.

The move would also help steer more of labor's money to state legislative battles, where unions have been battling efforts to curb union rights in states like Wisconsin and Ohio.

"The essential idea is that changes in the law for the first time really allow the labor movement to speak directly to workers, whether they have collective bargaining agreements or not," AFL-CIO political director Michael Podhorzer said in an interview. "Before, most political resources went to our own membership."

Labor leaders discussed the plan at the AFL-CIO executive council meetings earlier this month, but officials said the idea remains subject to final approval over the next few weeks.

Both GOP- and Democratic-leaning super PACs have flourished since a landmark 2010 Supreme Court ruling that allows corporations and unions to spend unlimited cash in support of, or against, candidates for elected office. The super PACs must operate independently of candidates.

[Hunton Peck]

But who among the rich would donate to help The Working Man? < /sarc>

[FlingWingFlyer]

The communists are scared to death about 2012. Their boys are going to get the boot. There are more Americans than there are union thugs. I’m a little worried about the illegal alien vote though.

[nascarnation]

I think huge $$ definitely helped Baraq in 08.

Now that he’s been in office with disastrous results, funding won’t be nearly as effective.

With any luck the tsunami sweeping him out of office will drown a lot of other Dems too.

[Trueblackman]

They are still smarting from getting beat by the Tea Party in Wis even with 30 million dollars to spend.

[Lazlo in PA]

Where exactly is this pack going to find money? So far, everything the unions do with unions dues has come up a failure i.e.; WI. These guys are turning out to be clowns and easily taken on. I have a feeling that the money they are hoping to get just isn't there.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Hunton Peck.

[oldbrowser]

The baracketeers will burn billions of stimulus, tarp,and union pensions but I don't see anyway Obama can hold his job. I am really hoping for change this election.

[Mike Darancette]

The AFL-CIO hopes to boost its clout by launching a new political action committee that could raise unlimited amounts of money, part of the federation's goal of building a year-round political organizing structure.

The new "Lost Cause".

[mdittmar]

The move would also help steer more of labor's money to state legislative battles,

So our plan is working.

See you in September,I repeat,See you in September.

[Don Corleone]

If ALPA sucks into this all its members should resign!

[PapaBear3625]

Where exactly is this pack going to find money?

Laundered ChiCom and Middle East money.

[Dogbert41]